How to build your own website
Let’s dive in…
1) Purpose: Connect with Your Digital Squad
Imagine your website as a social media platform where you can find your digital squad - your tribe. Just like you search for like-minded people online, your website needs a clear purpose to connect with your target audience. It's like having a mission statement that tells visitors what your website is all about. Whether you're showcasing your brand's amazing story, sharing valuable resources, or providing a platform for creative expression, your purpose will shape how your website looks and feels. Embrace your unique digital identity and create a website that truly speaks to your millennial audience!
2) Content: Crafting Engaging Experiences
In today's fast-paced digital world, capturing and holding attention is essential. That's where content comes in—it's the secret sauce that keeps visitors hooked. Think of it as the art of crafting engaging experiences! By serving up bite-sized content that speaks directly to your visitors, you'll create a connection that resonates. Become a master storyteller, combining eye-catching visuals with compelling writing. Infuse your website with personality and authenticity to stand out from the crowd. Check out Sun Yi on Instagram. He shares awesome tips on becoming a master storyteller.
3) User Experience:
The Path to Easy Exploration
User Experience (UX) is the secret to designing a website that users can't resist exploring.
Create an intuitive page that simplifies navigation and minimizes friction.
Think of your website as a digital playground, where visitors can seamlessly interact and discover new content.
What do you mean minimize friction on your website? Read more here.
Find inspiration from sources like Pinterest, but remember to infuse your own unique style. Avoid copying every element and strive for originality.
4) Mobile-Friendly:
In today's world, smartphones are practically glued to our hands, right?
So, it's important for your website to keep up with our on-the-go lifestyle. You want your website to be mobile-friendly, meaning it works smoothly on any screen size.
Think about it like this: no matter if your visitors are using their tiny phone screens or bigger tablets, your website will adjust itself perfectly.
It's like having a website that's super flexible and can fit any device. Cool, right?
Being mobile-friendly is all about making sure your website looks great and works smoothly on smartphones and tablets. You want your audience to have a fantastic experience, whether they're checking out your content during their daily commute, hanging out at a coffee shop, or simply relaxing at home on a couch.
5) Speed:
When it comes to websites, speed is the name of the game! I know we live in a world where patience is not exactly everyone's strong suit!
You want your website to load lightning-fast!
We're talking about Usain Bolt-level speed here.
Why?
Because we don't want your potential clients to get frustrated and leave your site before it even finishes loading. Ain't nobody got time for that!
To make your website zoom, we'll optimize it in a few nifty ways. First, we'll compress those images to make them smaller without sacrificing quality.
Next, we'll minify the code. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds! We'll just remove any unnecessary stuff and organize the code in a neat and tidy way. It's like tidying up your website's closet, making it easier to find things quickly. There are some Google Chrome extensions to help you with that.
6) Visual Hierarchy: Guiding Your Eyes with Style
When it comes to designing a website, visual hierarchy is super important for capturing attention.
You know how in the ocean of information and images, some things just catch your eye?
Well, that's exactly what visual hierarchy is all about!
Use bold colours, snazzy fonts, and clever placement to make the important stuff stand out. It's like creating a roadmap for your visitors' eyes, leading them exactly where you want them to go.
Do you want them to notice that awesome sale banner? Bam! Make it pop with vibrant colours.
Need them to click on that "Buy Now" button? Pow! Put it right where they can't miss it.
Think of your website as an exciting maze, but instead of getting lost, your visitors are happily exploring. They'll be so intrigued by the clever design and layout that they won't be able to resist clicking around and discovering more. It's all about making your website visually appealing and guiding your friends (I mean, visitors) through an amazing online experience!
If you have any questions or need help with anything else, just let me know here!
7) Consistency: The Power of Seamless Branding
We all appreciate things that are consistent and authentic, right? Well, the same goes for your website!
Keep your colours consistent throughout your website. Choose fonts that reflect your brand's personality and stick with them. And those design elements you love? Make sure they appear in a cohesive way across different pages.
Why is this so important?
Well, it's all about building trust and showing your audience that you're the real deal. When your website is nicely consistent, it sends a message that you're genuine, reliable, and true to
your brand identity.
It's like giving your visitors a warm and familiar welcome every time they interact with your site.
Your audience will appreciate the effort, and your website will shine with authenticity.
8) Accessibility: Opening Doors for All
Let's talk about an important aspect of web design: accessibility.
It's all about making sure your website is welcoming and usable for everyone who visits, regardless of their abilities or the devices they use.
You know, inclusivity is something we all value. We want everyone to feel included and have equal access to information and experiences. Well, the same goes for your website! By incorporating accessibility features, you're opening the doors to your digital world for all visitors.
Start by adding alt text to your images. This helps people who use screen readers understand what the images are about. It's like providing a description so they can fully experience your content.
Next, think about the navigation. Make sure it's clear and easy to follow.
Imagine you're guiding someone through your website step by step.
You want them to find what they're looking for without getting lost or frustrated.
You don’t want them to leave your site!
Oh, and let's not forget about fonts!
Choose readable fonts that are easy on the eyes.
Your visitors will enjoy reading your content without straining their eyes or squinting at tiny letters.
By incorporating these accessibility features, you're not only creating a more inclusive website, but you're also showing that you care about your visitors' experience. It's like rolling out the welcome mat and inviting everyone in, regardless of their abilities.
An effective web design is not just about creating a visually stunning website. It's about connecting with your audience, engaging their senses, and providing them with a seamless and enjoyable experience. By following these 8 essential principles we've discussed, you'll be well on your way to crafting a website that stands out, captures attention, and leaves a lasting impression.
